College of Medicine team members and students were recognized for their academic excellence, service and commitment at the medical school’s annual Faculty, Staff and Student Awards Ceremony held October 16.
“I want to honor and say thank you to all of you,” said Dr. Deborah German, vice president for health affairs and dean as she opened the ceremony. “You are the heart and soul of this medical school, this university and this community. Thank you for everything you do every day to teach our students, care for our patients and discover tomorrow’s medical treatments and cures.
Student Awards
Fifteen students in the Class of 2021 were awarded for demonstrating the highest standards of academic excellence throughout their M1 and M2 years. They are:
- Eloisa Crouse
- Alexandra Csortan
- Nicholas Faraci
- David Heaner
- Avery Johnson
- Meena Kanhai
- Jonathan Keyes
- Mary Kay Kujak
- Friederike Luetzenberg
- Amanda McCann
- Hannah Prock
- Kyle Sanchez
- Kimberly Shinabarker
- Ashley Siegel
- Andrew Win
Three students received the Excellence in Clinical Skills Award for demonstrating the highest standards of excellence in clinical performance over the 1st 2 years of the curriculum. They are:
- Eloisa Crouse
- Alexandra Csortan
- Meena Kanhai
Kyle Sanchez received the Faculty Choice Award for the student who exemplifies the utmost in professionalism, medical knowledge, and a caring and compassionate attitude towards patient care.
Chavi Rehani received the Distinguished Service Award which recognizes a student who has provided exceptional service to the local community, as chosen by both their peers and faculty.
Yunfai Ng received the International Medical Service Award, recognizing a student who has performed outstanding service to our international community, as chosen by both their peers and faculty.
Staff Awards
Laura Patterson, administrative assistant in our Graduate Medical Education Department received the Medical Education USPS Award as well as the College of Medicine USPS Employee of the Year award. Laboratory Teaching Specialist Kathleen Janda received the Burnett School USPS Award. For the second time, Anthony Dearman received the UCF Health/Health Arch USPS Award. Professional Development Coordinator Alaina West received the A&P Award.
The Team of the Year Award went to the Planning and Knowledge Management team: Leslie Marchand, Michelle Terescenko, Lucia Schweitzer, Diana Chavez, Bill Barker and Paul Sturgis.
Faculty Awards
College of Medicine core faculty were recognized for their various contributions as follows:
The Clinical Achievement Award – Dr. Sowmya Surya
The Educational Leadership Award – Drs. Latha Ganti and Denise Kay
The College of Medicine Service Award – Dr. Caridad Hernandez
The Outstanding Peer Mentorship Award – Dr. Jonathan Kibble
The Early Career Educator Award – Drs. Olga Karasik and Dr. Tracy MacIntosh
The Excellence in Medical Librarianship Award – Natasha Williams
The Innovative Teaching Award – Drs. Bernard Gros and Ayanna Walker
The Outstanding Undergraduate Educator Award – Dr. Emily Bradshaw
The Outstanding Graduate Educator Award – Dr. Kai McKinstry
Golden Apple Award awards were given to educators who have demonstrated the highest standards of excellence in teaching.
- The M1 year Golden Apple Award – Dr. Nyla Dil
- The M1 year Golden Apple Award -Vania Zayat
- The Clerkship Director Golden Apple Award – Dr. Colleen Moran-Bano
- The Golden Apple Practice of Medicine Preceptor Award – Drs. Jay Ladde and Charles Lerner
The Practice of Medicine Preceptor Excellence Award was given to preceptors who have demonstrated excellence in clinical teaching in the Practice of Medicine modules.
The awardees are:
- Dr. Martin Derrow
- Dr. Javier Sandoval
- Dr. Adalberto Torres, Jr.
Valuable Contributions Awards were given to individuals for their significant contributions to programs in the College of Medicine and its students.
- Admissions Program Award – Dr. Genaro A. Lopez
- Anatomy Lab Award – Drs. Jeffrey Plochocki and Guillermo Sanabria
- Clinical Skills Program – Dr. Alexander T. Vu
- FIRE Module – Drs. David Harris and Lloyd Werk
The Clerkship Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award was given to preceptors who have demonstrated excellence in clinical teaching in their respective clerkship. The awardees are:
- Dr. Eve Desrosiers, Pediatric Clerkship
- Dr. Michael Franz, Surgery Clerkship
- Dr. Mona Hanna, Psychiatry Clerkship
- Dr. Mihn Ho, Internal Medicine Clerkship
- Dr. Michael Hoffmann, Neurology Clerkship
- Dr. Mark Klafter, Neurology Clerkship
- Dr. Gerald Keller, Family Medicine Clerkship
- Dr. Susanne Osborne, Obstetrics & Gynecology Clerkship
The Resident Excellence in Teaching Award was given to resident educators who have demonstrated excellence in clinical teaching in their respective clerkship.
The awardees are:
- Dr. Nachelle Aurelien, Internal Medicine
- Dr. Christina Farid, Surgery
- Dr. Bradley Kasper, Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Dr. Marcus Tellez, Family Medicine
The Richard B. Hornick, M.D. Faculty Award, which recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and a strong commitment to the educational program in the College of Medicine, was awarded to Dr. William DeCampli.
The most prestigious faculty award, the Dean’s Award, given for outstanding support of the College of Medicine was awarded to assistant dean for students, Dr. Heather Fagan.
Photos from the event are available from the Flickr album below:
